From: Lisa Silver <l.si...@tlmassociates.com>
Subject:
To:
Date: Monday, October 13, 2008, 7:15 AM
The following is a letter that I received from Terry Wright. I believe we should ALL pay attention to its message. This effects each and every one of us:
Now more than ever we need to become stronger in our neighborhood watch programs. Over the past few weeks, I've heard story after story of theft, break-ins, (not just Madison Co). Friends who are now missing trailers, tools, batteries and catalytic converters.
If you drive around a little at night (now that gas is below $3 gal) you'll see more and more folks on the street… drive by RIFA about 11am and 5pm and see the increase number of homeless & hungry.
While many of them are simply down on their luck, there are still many con men and women who will not hesitate to take advantage of someone or seize the moment when something is left unattended for a minute. I recently had to confront a man who was "just checking out" the log chain in the back of my truck. Checking it out involved trying to sneak it out of the truck bed while I was paying for gas.
Trucks are cruising the neighborhoods looking for scrap metal, trouble is some are going into back yards to get it. Foreclosed houses are becoming a normal sight, and some of the "scrape scavengers" are going through the windows to see what is left behind (and taking copper wire/breaker boxes, water heaters, etc).
I've personally been approached several times by people "looking for work" yet clearly drugged/boozed up. In every single case, they ask for $ when I cannot offer work.
We need to be vigilante. We need to utilize the JPD anytime we witness something suspicious...let them determine if it is legit or not.
PLEASE understand, as people become more desperate, their actions become the same. Confrontation should be avoided if possible...again, rely on the JPD if you can.
I will be talking to my neighbors to let them know that if the police show up unnecessarily, I'd rather err on the side of caution. You should do the same. And this is certainly a time to speak out and support the officers in our neighborhoods. A tough job is about to become tougher.
As the economy continues its decline, so do contributions to many charities...this end result will be more and more desperate people.
Just my opinion, for what it is worth.
Terry
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/nyregion/10crime.html?hp=&pagewanted=print
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"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke
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Lisa M. Silver
Executive Director
Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association
321 Westwood Ave
Jackson, Tennessee 38301
(731) 267-4702
'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.' -- Margaret Mead
